For More Information about
EPA'S AFO Inspection Plan Call:

  Joe Roberto
  Oregon AFO Coordinator
  NPDES Compliance Unit
  Office of Water
  EPA Region 10
  Seattle, WA 98101
  (206) 553-1669 (direct line) or
  (800) 424-4372, ext. 1669

  Bub Loiselle, Manager
  NPDES Compliance Unit
  Office of Water
  EPA Region 10
  Seattle, WA 98101
  (206) 553-6901 (direct line) or
  (800) 424-4372, ext. 6901

  Debra Packard
  Community Involvement Coordinator
  EPA Region 10
  Seattle, WA 98101
  (206) 553-0247 (direct line) or
  (800) 424-4372, ext. 0247
To ensure effective communication with everyone,
  additional services can be made available by
 calling EPA's toll-free number at 1-800-424-4372.

  Web Surfing for EPA Region 10: Check out our
            homepage at:
       http://www.epa.gov/r1 Dearth
                                                                                    EPA910-F-99-005
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Region 10
1200 Sixth Avenue
Seattle WA 98101-1128
EPA's Animal
Feeding
Operation (AFO)
Inspections in
Oregon

-------
Application Directly into a Drainage Ditch
What is EPA doing?
As part of an ongoing effort to restore and maintain
the quality of Oregon's lakes, rivers and streams,
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
Region 10 is inspecting waste management
practices at AFOs to determine  if these facilities
are complying with the Clean Water Act.

Why is EPA focusing on AFOs?
Inappropriate waste handling and land application
practices from AFOs can lead to significant
contamination of valuable water resources within
the state of Oregon, including creeks, streams,
rivers, ponds, lakes and groundwater.  Examples
include excessive land application of manure and
animals with direct access to streams, rivers and
irrigation canals. When surface water bodies do
not meet the state's existing water quality
standards (for temperature, fecal coliform bacteria,
dissolved oxygen, nutrients and aesthetics),
human health and aquatic habitat can  be
significantly affected.  In some cases, fish and
Runoff from Corral (background) Flowing into
Ditch (foreground)

other aquatic wildlife can become diseased and
possibly die.

This situation can adversely affect human health,
particularly in communities depending on fish or
shellfish as a major food source.  Region 10's
inspection initiative, in part, is a response to
President Clinton's call to target enforcement of
livestock operations that may be impacting
valuable water resources.

What is EPA's inspection plan?
As part of Region 10's oversight authority, EPA will
continue inspections in Oregon to support the
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and
the Oregon Department of Agriculture.  EPA will be
identifying critical areas in the state that have a
high probability factor of degrading water quality if
AFOs discharge waste products to surface waters.
EPA will work closely with the Oregon Department
of Agriculture conducting inspections in the
identified areas.
What does EPA do if we locate a
non-complying AFO?
EPA has several options to compel compliance
with the Clean Water Act. Below is a summary of
enforcement options that will be considered.

Warning Letter: This type of letter is used for
   animal feeding operations with a potential
   violation or a minor violation.

Administrative Order: EPA can  issue an
   Administrative Order to the AFO owner and/or
   operator who is not complying with the "no-
   discharge" standard required by the Clean
   Water Act. Typically, orders require the owner
   and/or operator to correct the problem and
   eliminate the violation within a specified time
   period.  Failure to comply with this order is
   subject to civil penalties:  up to $27,500 per day
   for each violation.

Administrative Penalties:  EPA is authorized to
   penalize those facilities in non-compliance up to
   $11,000 per day for each violation. There is a
   statutory limit of $137,500 that  can be assessed
   via the administrative process.  For larger
   penalties, EPA must utilize the federal judicial
   system (see next item).

Judicial Penalties:  The Clean Water Act
   authorizes EPA to assess civil penalties up to
   $27,500 per day for each violation.

Criminal Prosecution:  For those who are caught
   knowingly violating the Clean Water Act,
   criminal prosecution is a possible enforcement
   response.
Cattle with Direct Access to a River.

-------